Special Investigating Unit on Gauteng Health multimillion PPE tender declared invalid and unlawful
29 June 2022
A R103 million personal protective equipment (PPE) tender awarded by the Gauteng Department of Health to Zakheni Strategic Supplies (Pty) Ltd has been declared unlawful and invalid. On 29 June 2022, the Special Tribunal reviewed and set aside the multimillion tender following an application by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
The Tribunal has ordered that Zakheni must pay back all profits earned from the unlawful and invalid tender.
The SIU investigation in the Department of Health revealed that Zakheni was awarded a R103. 7 million tender without following regulations governing public procurement.
SIU probe uncovered that on 19 April 2020, the Department, through its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Ms. Kabelo Lehloenya, received a quotation from Zakheni for the supply to the Department of specified PPE items like gloves and mask. Twenty-four (24) hours later, the Department issued a commitment letter to Zakheni, signed by the CFO. In terms of the commitment letter, Zakheni would supply PPE to the Department to the value of R103, 770, 000.